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4260/01
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
Core Module
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UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS
Cambridge International Diploma in Management
Higher Professional Level
Valid between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2008
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
You should read the assignment carefully.
It is important to complete the Assignment Cover Sheet when you have finished your work. You must
complete the details and sign the declaration to confirm that the assignment is all your own work and your
tutor must sign to verify that it is your own work.
The length of the assignment must be no more than 4000 words. Marks will be deducted from assignments
that exceed the word limit.
This document consists of 3 printed pages.
IB08 01_4260_CORE/4RP
© UCLES 2008
[Turn over
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Information Systems Management – Core Module
Title: Information Needs and Flows for Successful Management
Your start point for undertaking this assignment is to familiarise yourself with the
module syllabus, the associated assessment objectives and competence criteria so
that your understanding and application of them will be a strong feature of your
submitted report.
For this assignment you should work with your own organisation or one that is
familiar to you. Describe the organisation, its purpose, products and/or services and
the department or project you work for (or the department/project you have selected)
and your involvement with it.
Briefly describe, in general terms, how the management of information has changed
over recent years. This should include the contribution information management
makes to effective organisations and the development of systems for information
management and knowledge management. Include the impact that information
technology has made.
Focusing on your department or project, describe the information that is regularly
managed, how data/information flows through the department or project and how this
contributes to the achievement of organisational objectives. Distinguish between the
different levels of information and how such information and knowledge is used. This
can be presented diagrammatically. Clearly indicate how information technology is
used in the management of information.
Critically describe the organisation’s present system(s) for managing information and
knowledge. Explain how data/information is recorded, stored, retrieved and safely
disposed of/archived. Describe how your organisation complies with legislative
requirements with respect to information management. Identify what can or does go
wrong with the current system(s) and the possible reasons for this. Critically review
the sources of data/information used by your department or project for suitability,
reliability, accuracy and protection.
Using the knowledge you now have, critically evaluate the effectiveness of the
current information system(s) in meeting strategic and operational objectives. Review
the objectives for your department or project for the future and identify future cost
effective challenges for your information and knowledge management systems. This
should take into account operational, tactical and strategic information management,
issues of confidentiality/protection and questions of risk/threat. Account should also
be taken of changes in technology and the impact these may have on the
organisation's information management practices. Identify areas for improvement in
your present system(s) and/or in the ways that they are managed.
Research and identify an area of new technology (or technical development) or
management information system that you believe would improve the way your
organisation or department manages its information. Prepare the case for its
adoption into your organisation, identifying the costs, the benefits and the
improvements it will bring. You should anticipate and challenge arguments against
the introduction of your chosen development.
© UCLES 2008
4260/01 2008
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Write a proposal to an appropriate senior manager making recommendations for
change, including the case for the adoption of your chosen area of development.
Justify these recommendations on the basis of your research and the future
objectives of the organisation, department or project.
You must include in your assignment report all documentation, notes and materials
generated from each stage of the study.
You are not expected to include confidential information on your organisation, its
personnel or performance.
In writing the report, you should adopt an appropriate business format and show how
knowledge and understanding of information systems management have been
applied in line with the module syllabus. You should include in your report your
primary and secondary research methodology.
At the start of your assignment report, indicate the number of words used, which
must not exceed the maximum permitted amount of 4,000 for the main body of the
report.
Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared
where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring
clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand
name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© UCLES 2008
4260/01 2008